I wasn't dissing the trailer idea, it would definitely come in handy for other chores in addition to hauling the bike around. I'm quite comfortable pulling a trailer myself. Hope to pick up a Ural with one someday.

NP, Desi. No adverse inference taken from your post. We're all friends here. and the more opinions the better IMHO.

Logged

Rather than have a homeless person for the holidays, I decided to stick with ham.

These have been marketed under various names/manufacturers since well before I started riding in the late '60's. Not my first choice. Keep the speed below 50. No matter how well tied down, a big bump can turn it on its side. It is next to impossible to back up. The short turning radius will jackknife way too easily. REMOVE THE CHAIN. A bump can cause it to shift into gear or a jerk at a gas station will pop it into gear or the chain will pop off. I have seen tires and transmissions destroyed like this.

These have been marketed under various names/manufacturers since well before I started riding in the late '60's. Not my first choice. Keep the speed below 50. No matter how well tied down, a big bump can turn it on its side. It is next to impossible to back up. The short turning radius will jackknife way too easily. REMOVE THE CHAIN. A bump can cause it to shift into gear or a jerk at a gas station will pop it into gear or the chain will pop off. I have seen tires and transmissions destroyed like this.

I've seen the front wheel towing systems and it just does not look safe or practical. I guess if I was rescuing myself from a breakdown, it might be handy, but 500 miles, not for me. Thats all day or even two days traveling. I have the HF 4x8 folding trailer and have used it several times with the RE. Added decking, a removable wheel chock and tie downs and its good to go. Very sturdy and folds standing upright against the garage wall. I've also got a small Toyota SUV with a 1000lb tow rating. The tongue weight on the HF with the RE on it is less than 100lbs. Yes, it takes paper work for registration, tags, etc. but I recently made a stack bed fence system using 2x4 posts and 1x4 slats and can now use it for hauling lots of other stuff.

For my big cruiser, I have a tailgate wide ramp system for my Tundra and I load it in the truck bed for long trips. I tow a travel trailer for vacations, as I'm not comfortable with dual/tandem trailer towing.